Geraldine "Geri" Mae Rodericks von Waaden

Geraldine (Geri) Mae “Rodericks” von Waaden passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026 at the age of 87. She was born in San Jose, CA, the daughter of Anthony and Adeline Rodericks. Sister to Evelyn Mathias Dean, Raymond, Richard and Leroy Rodericks. Loving mother to Gary von Waaden (Sandy), Tanya Vander Weide (Kurt), Kara Floriani (Dan) and Heidi Greenacre (Dave). Grandmother to Asia Arad, Michelle and Dominick von Wadden, Rae Lynn, Lindsey and Emily Vander Weide, Devin Floriani, Dillon, Cole, and Jacob Greenacre. Great Grandmother to Micah Geiger.

Geri attended Berryessa Schools and James Lick High School. She was very active in 4-H, played the violin and was a journalist for her high school newspaper. Above all, since a small child Geri enjoyed photography. Her famous words were “one, two, three - smile.” She took pictures at all occasions and blessed people and her family with many fond memories.

Geri married the love of her life, Gerriet (Gary) von Waaden, on September 11, 1960. She accompanied her husband to Germany along with their nine month old baby son Gary, for a family celebration. Deciding to stay in Germany where her two daughters Tanya and Kara were born before returning to San Jose, CA in 1966. Their third daughter Heidi, was born in 1967.

Upon returning to America, Geri worked for Lockheed Martin Corporation and in 1977, she graduated from San Jose State University with a BA Degree in Child Development. Geri then began her career as a preschool teacher with both the Alum Rock and Milpitas Unified School Districts until her retirement at the age of 55. Geri enjoyed her retirement years traveling frequently with her husband, spending time with her grandchildren and continuing her hobby and love of photography.

Memorial mass will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, 9:30 AM, at St. John Vianney Church, San Jose, California.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Geri von Waaden to:

All Saints University Parish, 4040 McKenna Dr, Turlock, CA 95382

https://allsaintscsus.org/online-giving-information

or to the Dementia Society of America

www.dementiasociety.org/donate